Page 89 of Dirty Salvation

In other words, he was gorgeous.

She shivered and knew the reason for his longing look a moment later, his long legs brought him over, Zara blinked in awe of his stature, the hotness of him licked all over her skin. She meant to say his name as a warning, yet it came out more of a moan.

A wanted noise that mirrored in her eyes, why else would Rider have stepped forward, grasped her around the waist and crushed her mouth.

It was a movie kiss, no tongues, just lips reluctantly to leave each other's mouths.

Zara drew back first, his eyes were so dark now, rich dark arousal. She was convinced if it were left to Rider to decide they'd be using the table for a whole other reason than food.

And now she was thinking about sex.

Great.

"Needed that first before you date me, Icy."

She turned before he could see her blush. "Take a seat, Prez. I have food fit for, well, a president. I hope you like it." Ears attuned to his every movement she caught his feet shuffling away, and then he sat, she peeked over her shoulder, blue eyes watching her, streaking down her body and rested on her butt.

He was determined to make this hard for her.

Food first. Her jangling nerves dictated they have food first before anything … else.

He looked good. Really good.

"You cooked me food. I'll like it. It smells delicious."

"A little bird told me you like chicken fried steak, and there are gooey mac and cheese with bacon bits and garlic green beans as sides. I don't like to brag, but they're pretty yummy."

"Uncle Jed is a gossipin' bastard." he laughed guessing correctly who’d helped her prep for dinner.

Thrilled with the noise, Zara watched his face soften. "I can't comment, I protect my sources, but I said I'd set him a plate aside."

She told him of her phone call. “The kid is doin’ okay?”

“Far as I can tell. Who knows what lasting damage there’s going to be.” her face changed with a grimace. “Only time will tell. I just hope her foster family can help her. She’s just a little kid still. It’s a lot for her to cope with.”

“Zara baby. You know you can talk to me, right?” she met his eyes, saw his sincerity. Why did it make her heart clench? She discerned the answer and told him honestly.

“I know. But. Rider. I’m never going to talk to you about what happened. You already know too much that makes me uncomfortable. No, let me finish, please. I think I’m going to have therapy, I read a leaflet in that clinic. I don’t want you to know. I want to be just Zara to you. NotpoorZara. It happened, and fuck them all, now I make myself better. So, therapy. What do you think?”

“Always got ears for you, know that. But if you want therapy I think it’s a good idea.” He’d braced both arms onto the table, fingers loosely laced, looking casual and gorgeous. There were so many layers to this man, she’d seen many already, and still she was not even close to the center of him, she imagined she never would be and that was just lovely. He was showing her who he was.

Don't panic, it's just a date.

The thought of being on a date with Rider was frankly, ludicrous. He was not the kind of guy you went on moonlit walks with, or to view a midnight showing of Harry Potty.

He was the type of guy who pushed you into a room, locked the door and then did hot groping, a lot of dirty talk of everything he wanted to do to you, before doing them three or four times. No restrictions, just mind-blown, terribly wicked delicious things.

Definitelyno dating in that.

She was a Disney Princess and Rider the rogue bad guy.

Fated to never get along.

But here they were.

"Zara?"

"Hm?"